Toy loading truck



Sept. 19, 1950 F. BRISTOL 2,522,925

TOY LOADING TRUCK Filed Jan. 5l, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 75 79 far 77 @iSePt- 19, 1950 F. BRIS-rol. 2,522,925

TOY LOADING TRUCK Filed Jan; 5l, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W gb PatentedSept. 19, 1950 UN ITE'D AS TATES PATENT OFF-l CE.

TOY LOADING TRUCK Ferdinandristol, Montclair, N. J.

-`Application`January 31, 1947, Serial No. 725,568

5 Claims. .1

This 'invention *relates to selffpropelled toy vehiclesandit refersmoreparticularlyto a vehicle having mechanismfor selectively actuating a@member lthereofnot involved directly in the propulsion of the vehicle.

An important objectwof the `invention is the provision of aselfpropelled `toy loading truck having la reversibly` operableload-elevating plat- 'form and which simulates in appearance and mannerof operation. an industrial loading or lift truck.

yAnother object of the invention is the provisien` off-atoy loading orlift truck having an elevating'.platformselectively andreversiblyoperable from thevehicle-propelling motive means.

Anotherobjeet is the provision oa vehicle of the above character havingadjustable means for retarding the descent of the elevating platform tocompensate for the accelerating effect `of a load thereon.

"Another object isl the, provision of a toy vehicle 0f theabovecharacter having steering mechanism'which can be setto cause the`vehicle to travel'a selected path, together `with means forreversingthedirection of travel at the will of the operator.

Further objects and advantages ofthe inven- `tion willbe apparent uponconsideration of the following `detailed-description, `with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 isa side. elevation of` a preferred embodiment oflthe toy vehicleof the invention;

`Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. '3 is a sectional elevation along the line 1 .3-#3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3` (a) is an incomplete sectional `view along the line33 of Fig. 2,showing particularly the elements of the wheel drive of the vehicle;

1ig.'3 (b) is an incomplete sectional view along the line '3-3 ofFig..2, showing particularly the elements of the` elevator drive;

Fig.` 4 (a) isanincomplete sectional view along y.the lined-Il of Fig.`1, showing particularly the elements of the wheel drive;

Fig. 4 (b) is an incomplete sectional view along the line fi--i ofFig.l, showing `particularly the 4elements of the. elevator drive;

,of Fig. 4 (a).;

Fig. i7 is apartialsection along the line 1-1 oiFig. 4 (a) Figs 5, 6 and7 all looking in the direction indicated by `thearrows at line .6-6;

Fig. 8 is a partial section alongthe line B'8 of Fig. 4 (b) cFig. `9; istaz; partial section along Athe line 9-9 of Fig. 4 (b);

Fig. 10 is apartial section along theline lll-I0 ofFig. 4 (1)); I

Fig. 11 is a partial section along the line l I-I I of Fig. 4V (b),Figs. 9,10` and 11 all looking inth'e direction indicatedby the arrowsat line`I1I--I.l;

Fig. 12 is a front `endelevation `of the vehicle;

Fig. lSis a partial section alongftheline I3-l`13 of Fig. 12;

Fig.` 14.` is a partial `section along theline |:4-I4 of Fig. 12;

Fig. l5 is a partial sectionalong the line I5-|:5 ofFig. 14;

Fig. 161s a partial section alongzthe line l.E--i"6 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 1'7 is a partial section along the line l'l-'l'l of Fig. 12.

The industrial liftutruckg as is `wellllznovvn, comprises vehicularmeans principally for receivinga: load at onelevel ata rstl location,transporting the load to a second location and discharging it at adifferentlevel, the 'several functions being under `the. control of anoperator. `In `the toy which Aforms the `subjectmatter of `the presentinvention `similar means areprovidedlin `miniaturey adapted to transportand to` elevate and lower miniature loads for educationaland amusementpurposes. The vehicle `has a simulated operators positionin which thetoy iigure of a man may be placed and` a plurality vof levers convenientthereto which control the travelof the vehicle and the operation of *the.elevating `platform upon which the load is placed. Inaddi- `tion tosimulating in miniature and in a novel manner certain@ features of anindustrial lift truck,

`the toy truck-of the invention comprises other `novel elements y andcombinations of .elements,.to

be described hereinafter.

In'the` drawings there is shown a toy vehicle having a frame 2l, whichmay for economy of fmanuiacture be` composed of sheet metal stampings,supported` by four wheels23,i25,"21"l, and 219,

`of whichlthe irontand driven wheels Y2.3, `25are `carried on an axle 3lrotatably mounted on frame tions in frame 2l, such as holes 43, to serveas a detent allowing lever 39 to remain in a set position, whereby thevehicle may be conditioned to travel in a straight or curved path, asdesired.

Suitably formed portions 95, il of frame 2| constitute a pair of spacedvertical guides along which a horizontally extending platform i9 isreversibly operable by means to be described, the platform havingsuitably formed vertical portions 5|, 53 cooperative with guides 95 andlll, respectively. Platform i9 overhangs frame 2| at the front end ofthe vehicle and is adapted to receive a load, such as a miniaturerepresentation of a heavy industrial object. As will be described,control means are provided selectively to raise or lower the platformand load or cause immobility thereof, as is done in the case ofindustrial lift trucks, to receive and discharge a lload at differentlevels.

For driving the vehicle and for raising and lowering platform t9 springpower means are conveniently provided although it will be apparent thatother means, such as electric motor means, may be used. Said springmeans comprises a coiled flat spring anchored at one I end to the frameby a pin 5l fast in the frame and attached at the other end to a shaft59 journalled on frame 2|. Shaft 59 which may be squared or otherwiseformed at one end 6| thereof to receive a `winding key (not shown) xedlymounts a ratchet 63 cooperative with a pawl 65 carried by a gear tlfreely rotatable about a shaft 59. Gear 97| meshes with a pinion t9carried by a shaft journalled on the frame.

Shaft '|l, adjacent opposite ends thereof, carries :n

a. pair of gears lf3, 'l5 rotatable therewith. Gear 13 meshes with apinion lll on an idler shaft "i9, pinion also meshing with a gear 9|freely rotatable about front wheel axle 3|. Gear 'I5 meshes directlywith a second gear 93 freely ro- .n

tatable about axle 3|, without the intermediary of an idler gear.

Integral with gear 8| and formed on the hub thereof is a toothed clutchmember and similarly integral with gear 83 is a toothed clutch member37, both of said clutch members being thereby rotatable with theirrespective gears about axle 3|. Mounted on axle 3| between members 85and S7 is a double-ended toothed clutch member 39. Clutch member 89 andaxle 3| are constrained to rotate together, for example as by a pin 9|fast in the axle and extending into a slot k93 in member 89, thisconnection allowing a limited displacement of member 39 along the axle,for its selective engagement with one or the other of members 85, 8l.Other known arrangements for accomplishing this purpose may be employed,such as splining. It is to be noted that the engaging teeth of clutchmembers 85, 89 are formed to transmit motion in one direction while theengaging teeth of members 8l, 89 are formed to transmit motion in theopposite direction.

Displacement of clutch member 89 along axle 3| for engagement with itsmating clutch member is accomplished by movement of a lever 95 at therear portion of the vehicle, corresponding to or simulating an operatorsposition, which thereby controls the direction in which the vehicletravels, as will be explained. Lever 95 is pivoted to the frame at 97|and has pivotally connected to it at 99 a shift bar ll formed at the endopposite said pivot into a cam |93. A rod |05 passing through a slotlll'l in bar |9| Serves as a guide for the bar.

Cam |03 has as its follower a shifter fork |09 arranged for guideddisplacement along rod |95 and pressed against the cam by a spring I Anextension of fork |99 is attached to or operatively connected withclutch member 89 so that displacement of fork |99 along rod |95 producesa corresponding displacement of member 89 along axle 3|.

The operation of the wheel drive described above will now be explained.Assuming that spring 55 has been wound up, in unwinding it tends torotate shaft 59 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed, for examplein Fig. 3 (a). To cause the vehicle to travel in a forward directionlever l95 is pushed forward to a suitable position, which may bedetermined by a detent or stop, to push shifter bar lili forwardtogether with cam |93 carried thereby and thus cause spring to moveshifter fork |99 toward the right (as viewed from the rear) and carryclutch member 99 into engagement with clutch member 95. The connectionsby which power can then be transmitted from spring 55 to axle 3| may betraced as follows, chiefly by reference to Figs. 3 (a) and 4 (a.) whichare simplified views principally showing the wheel drive:

From spring 55 to shaft 59, ratchet 9|, pawl 95, gear tl, pinion 69,shaft 1|, gear i3, idler pinion lill, gear ill, clutch 85, 89 to axle3|. It will be found by tracing the relationships of the several partsjust mentioned that under the stated conditions and when a drivingconnection exists between axle 3| and one of wheels 23, 25, throughmeans to be described, the energy stored in spring 55 can be utilized toturn said wheel in a direction causing the vehicle to be propelledforward.

To cause the vehicle to travel backward lever 95 is moved to the rear toa suitable position, which may be determined by a detent or stop,thereby pulling bar lill backward together with cam |93 and movingshifter fork E99 to the left. This brings about the engagement of clutchmembers 89 and 87| against the opposition of spring The connections bywhich power can then be transmitted from spring 55 to axle 3| may betraced as follows: From spring 55 to shaft 59, ratchet 9|, pawl 65, gear6l, pinion 69, shaft l'l, gear l5, gear 93, clutch members 8l, 89 toaxle 3|. With the unwinding of spring 55 tending to rotate shaft 59 in aclockwise direction, viewed from the left, it will be found that wheneither or both of wheels 23, 25 is driven by axle 3 the vehicle will bepropelled backward.

It is desirable that the energy of spring 55 be released at a controlledrate, which is provided for by escapement governor means to be describedhereinafter.

Since the vehicle is steerable and may traverse a curved path it is alsodesirable, and a feature of the invention, to provide for free-wheelingor overtravel of wheels Z3, 25 to permit the wheels to rotate atdifferent rates. A simple and economically manufactured arrangement forthis type of operation is illustrated more particularly in Figs. i6' and17, which show the relation between axle Ell and the hubs of wheels 23and 25, respectively. 'in Fig. 19 a pin lil is shown adapted to ntloosely in a transverse hole in axle 3i. In the hub of wheel E3 there isan opening of tri-foliate form within which pin l'll operates, therelationship of pin and opening being such that axle 3| rotates freely,relative to the wheel, in the direction indicated by the arrow butpositively drives the wheel when rotating in the opposite direction.

Fig. 157 shows -thexcorresponding .arrangement of Vwheel 25, ,whereinpin25, loosely `fitting inra transverse ,hole inaxle -3 operates in,tri-.foliate hubopening |21 in amanner suchthat .wheell is ,positivelydriven from laxle A3| only when the axle turns-in' the directionindicated bylthearrow.

It is to be noted that the oppositely `directed arrows of Figs. 19 andZOindicateone andthe same direction of rotation of axle 3illthe,twoviewslleokingat opposite ends of the axle. Under the illustratedcondition wheel 25 is positively driven fromaxle `3 i: while wheel. 23is `free to rotate relative tothe axle at a speed appropriate to thepath of the vehicle. The indicated direction of rotation of axle 3|-corresponds to forward propulsion ofthe vehicle while the reversedirection of rotationicauses Wheel 2-3 `to be driven positively and thevehicle propelled-backward, wheel 25then being free to rotate relativeto the axle.

lI-he means for applying power for raising and lowering platform 44.9will now be described. Thesemeans are best seen in Figs. 3 (b)` and'll(b) which also show certain `means common with the wheel drive but forsimplicity of illustration omit othermeansindividual thereto. Since themeans and manner by and in which power from spring 555s caused to rotategears 8| and 83 in opposite directions about axle 3| have already beendescribed and since these means form apart of and operate in the samemanner in the elevator drive, the description of this drive will startwith the gears therein meshing with gears 8| and 83, respectively. Theseare gears |3| and |33, respectively, yfreely rotatable'about shaft |35and drivenlin opposite directions thereabout by gears 91| and 83.Shaftf|35is itself journalled onframe 2|. The hubs of gears |3i|land |33have teethcut toformelutch members 1| 31 and |39, respectively, adaptedto be selectively engagedfby doubleeended clutch member |;4|. Member |41is carried by and has a limited displacement along shaft |35, while`constrained to rotate therewith, for the engagement'of `the member withclutch members 131,139; To this end there is provided a pin |43 fast inshaft |35.. extending into a slot. in clutch member |4|. yIt is'to benoted that the engaging clutchteeth ofmembers |4| |31are cut to transmitrotation positively in one direction while the engagingfteeth of the.pair of members 4|, |39 are'cutto transmitrotation in the oppositedirection.

For operating theielevator clutch thereis pro- .videda controlflever45,. at the rear ofthe vehicle inthe simulated1-operators lposition,pivoted to theiframe at 141 and to which in turn is pivoted l .attic ashiftertbarl 5| formed at the end thereof formfll is furnished by'a bolt|115 extending into ailink of the chain.

rloretard the descent of platform 49 and compensate forlthe acceleratingtendency of a load carried thereby, frictionbrakemeans areprovided whichoperate only upon rotation of shaft |13 in the direction" correspondingto.: descent.- onthe; platform. ,'llheselmeans compriseavone-wayufriction clutch or unie` directional Vcoupling of--lwelkknownconstruction formed `by an inner clutch member `|1111 fast-on shaft |13,a-housingyl19fsurrounding member |11 and .rotatable about shaft L13, anda. plurality of balls, such-as-ball 11M-,operating in cam :or wedgeshaped chambersbounded bymembers `|-1s1, J919, said.-.chambers beingso..designed that through the -wedging of the `balls ybetween member`|11 andehousing |.'|gltheyhousingV is `oar-,- ried around `with member|-11 when shaft |13 rotates-.in .the direction i of the arrow,corresponding `to descent lof platform-49, but member t1-.1 rotatesfreely `without driving. the-housing :when platform IMidis ascending. Abentfrictionmlate 48.3-,` having .oneend `thereof secured tothe framebears at. the otherend against theouter surface of housing 11.9andthe'friction between members 83` and|1.9 is adjustable by al screw|85.

For controlling .thei operation of platform 4.9 lever |45 `has .threeoperatingpositions, aforward, aneutral `anda reverse position,Vcorresponding, respectively; to upward` notion of `the platform,immobility thereof., andV downward motion thereof.. Thepositions ofthellever may be.denedby stops, detents, orcombinations thereof (notspecifically illustrated)- .or .the `forward land reverse positions bedetermined by the Vengagirlflent ,o f. the `clutchimembers on'ishaft|35, with theneutral position `interrnediate `therebetween `but lnototherwise defined. Totcauseplatformid .toltravel upwardlylever |245 .is4moved :toits-forward position thereby `pushing bar |,5| :forward and,through theaction of cam |53, permittingzspring |51 to displace shifterforlie|l55lto .thefleftiviewed from the rear) and carry clutch member.|4|..into engagement with clutch .member |39. Power from spring 55 maythen be transmitted from spring 55 to shaft `|65 asfollows: From spring55 to shaft v5.9, ratchet 63 pawl 65, ,gear .61, pinion y59, shaft 1|,gear 1,5, gear `|33,` gear |33, clutch members |39,l|.4|, shaft |35,gear |.6| gear |53, to shaft` |65. By tracing the relative directions`of rotation .of the above-named members it will be found` thatasshafts59 rotates in a counter-clockwise ,direction with the unwindingof Vspring 55, shaft` |65 is also rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, bothas seen in Fig. l (b). Such rotation of shaft |65 movesthe forward .portion of chain |59, and with it platform 49, upwardly.

It will readily be apparent thatl an intermediate or neutral position oflever |45 which disengages .clutch `member |4| from both clutch `members|31 and |39 prevents. motion from beingetrans- .mitted from shaft toshaft |65 and there is .then no displacement of the uplatform in eitherdirection. Any tendency of the. platform. tomove downwardly under the`influence of the weight `ofaload thereon may be counteracted by suitableadjustment of the one-way friction device acting .on shaft |13, thatrisby adjustment of the friction between housing |19 and plate |83 by meansof screw|85. l

To cause platform 49 to be driven downwardly, in opposition to thefriction just referred to, lever is moved to the rear to its `reverseposition, thereby pulling bar |5| backward and, through the .action ofcam. |53, displacing shifter fork to the right andlcarrying .clutchmember .|I4l into 4engagement with clutch member .|131.. Power maythenbe transmitted from spring Y55 toshaft as follows: 'From spring 55to. shaft 59, ratchet'53, pawl 65, gearl, pinion 59, shaft 1|, gear 13,idler pinion 11, gear 8|, gear |3|,

7 clutch members |31, |4|, shaft |35, gear |6|, gear |63, to shaft |65.Due to the interposition of an additional idler pinion in the geartrain, shaft |65 will. now be rotated in a clockwise direction, and theforward portion of chain |59, and with it platform 49, will movedownwardly.

For the regulation of the power supplied from spring 55 both to wheels23, 25 to propel the vehicle and to shaft |65 to operate platform 49there is provided an escapement type of governor, as has been mentioned.The escapement mechanism, best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a gear|9|, meshing with gear 13, on the shaft of which is carried a secondgear |93 meshing with a pinion |94 carried on a shaft mountingescapement wheel |95 with which cooperate the palletshaped ends of pawl|9l, having an oscillatory motion about the axis of shaft |99. Theperiod of oscillation of pawl |91 and hence the speed of operation ofthe spring motor is governed by the weight and moment of inertia of thepawl.

Levers 95, 39 and |45 with their associated detents or stops providemeans, respectively, for setting the travel and direction of travel ofthe vehicle, the curvature of its course and the movement or lack ofmovement of the load-carrying platform along its guide, including thedirection thereof. Thus, there are numerous movements which can bepre-set and which will automaticallybe carried out by the mechanismhereinbefore described when restraints are removed. For example, thevehicle may travel in a circle of pre-determined radius while theload-carrying platform is either raised or lowered. In other cases thevehicle and platform movements may occur at different times.

I claim:

1. Inv a toy lift truck the combination of a wheel mounted frameincluding a vertical guide, one of said wheels being swivelled forsteering the vehicle, a load-carrying platform mounted on said frame fordisplacement along said guide, a motor mounted on said frame, a pair ofsprockets rotatably mounted on said frame respectively adjacent the topand bottom of said guide, an endless chain engaging said sprockets, adriving connection between said chain and platform, a pair of frictionmembers in sliding engagement one with the other, a uni-directionalcoupling for transmitting rotary motion from one of said sprockets toone of said members, said other member being stationary on said frame,means for adjusting the friction between said members, reversible gearmeans connecting said motor and one of said sprockets for driving saidchain including a three position clutch controlling the operation anddirection of operation thereof, a nrst lever and detent for setting theposition of said clutch, reversible gear means connecting said motor andone of the vehicle wheels for driving the vehicle'including a threeposition clutch controlling the operation and direction of operationthereof, a second lever and detent for setting the yposition of saidlast named clutch, a third lever and detent, and connecting meansbetween said third lever and said swivelled wheel for controlling thesteering of the vehicle.

2. In a toy lift truck having a wheel mounted frame including a verticalguide the combination of a load supporting platform mounted fordisplacement along said gulide, spring motor means mounted on said frameand means connecting said motor and platform for selectively operatingsaid platform along said guide in opposite directions including a threeposition clutch and control means therefor having an upwardly operating,a downwardly operating and a neutral position, an escapement forregulating the application of the power of said motor duringdisplacement of said platform in both directions, and friction meansoperable to oppose descent, only, of the platform.

3, In a self-propelled toy lift truck having a wheel mounted frameincluding a vertical guide the combination of spring motor means mountedon said frame, connecting means for reversibly operating at least one ofsaid wheels from said motor, a load supporting platform mounted fordisplacement along said guide, connecting means for reversibly operatingsaid platform from said motor and escapement means common to said twoconnecting means for regulating the power supplied from said motor tosaid wheel and platform, said second connecting means including anadjustable friction device and a one-way clutch operable to cause saidfriction device to oppose descent, only, of said platform.

4. In a self-propelled toy lift truck adapted selectively to raise orlower a load while progressing in a forward or reverse direction thecombination of a wheel mounted frame including a vertical guide, springmotor means mounted on said frame, connecting means for reversibh7operating at least one of said wheels from said motor including clutchmeans positionable to control the operation and direction of progressionof the vehicle, a load supporting platform mounted for displacementalong said guide, connecting means for reversibly operating saidplatform from said motor including clutch means positionable to controlthe operation and direction of displacement thereof and an escapementcommon to said two connecting means for regulating the power supplied bysaid motor.

5. In a self-propelled toy lift truck adapted selectively to raise orlower a load while progressing in a forward or reverse direction thecombination of a wheel mounted frame including a vertical guide, springmotor means mounted on said frame, connecting means for reversiblyoperating at least one of said wheels from said motor including clutchmeans positionable to control the operation and direction of.progression of the vehicle, a load supporting platform mounted fordisplacement along said guide, connecting means for reversibly operatingsaid platform from said motor including clutch means positionable tocontrol the operation and direction of displacement thereof, and meansfor controlling the speed of operation of the Vehicle and platformincluding an escapement common to said two connecting means and afriction device individual to said second connecting means operable tooppose descent, only, of said platform.

FERDINAND BRISTQL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,504,415 Barrett et al Aug. l2,1924 1,707,428 Burrows Apr. 2, 1929 1,763,542 Schoenberg et al. June 1G,1930 1,991,576 Remde Feb. 19, 1935 2,427,132 Godbey Sept. 9, 1947

